Moving video tags

ABSTRACT

A display device simultaneously displays at least the following: a video depicting an item in a scene; a tag in a first position overlaid on the video, the tag being associated with the item depicted in the video, wherein the tag includes descriptive text information describing the item depicted in the video; and a visually perceptible indicator extending between a proximity where the item is depicted in the video and a proximity of the first position. The tag undergoes continuous motion relative to at least a portion of the video scene from the first position to a second position different from the first position, while the display device displays the video and the tag overlaid on the video while the tag undergoes continuous motion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/172,185, filed on Jul. 11, 2008, entitled “MOVING VIDEO TAGS OUTSIDEOF A VIDEO AREA TO CREAT A MENU SYSTEM,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,451,195,issued on Sep. 20, 2016, which claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/949,505, filed on Jul. 12, 2007, entitled“VIDEO TAGS OUTSIDE OF VIDEO AREA.” The entire disclosures of both ofthe foregoing patent applications are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/499,315, filed on Aug. 4, 2006, entitled “DISPLAYING TAGSASSOCIATED WITH ITEMS IN A VIDEO PLAYBACK,” the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/669,901 filed on Jan. 31, 2007 entitled “AUTHORING TOOL FORPROVIDING TAGS ASSOCIATED WITH ITEMS IN A VIDEO PLAYBACK,” now U.S. Pat.No. 8,656,282, issued on Feb. 18, 2014, the entire disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Tags in a video area are established by displaying the tags with avisual association to an item in the video. Thereafter, the tags move toa tag menu area that is outside of the video area. Tags are selectable,such as by clicking on the tag, to cause additional actions such asdisplaying a web page related to the tag. Tags move and disappear/appearin conjunction with the video as the video action progresses. In oneembodiment, the tag menu area is obtained when a video with a firstaspect ratio is displayed in a display area that has a different aspectratio. The difference in aspect ratios leaves a portion in the displayarea that is not used for the video that can be used for the tag menuarea.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first illustration of a prior art approach to displayingvideo;

FIG. 2 is a second illustration of a prior art approach to displayingvideo;

FIG. 3 is a third illustration of a prior art approach to displayingvideo;

FIG. 4 is a fourth illustration of a prior art approach to displayingvideo;

FIG. 5 shows high definition format video displayed within a standarddefinition area;

FIG. 6 shows a standard definition format video displayed within ahigh-definition format video;

FIG. 7 shows a prior art approach where standard definition video isshown in a standard definition display area;

FIG. 8 shows high-definition video in a standard-definition area;

FIG. 9 illustrates video including a tag;

FIG. 10 shows a video after tag movement;

FIG. 11 shows a video after additional tag movement; and

FIG. 12 shows tags reaching their final positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate prior art approaches to placing a video of a firstaspect ratio into a display area of a second aspect ratio. In FIG. 1,video area 100 is a 4:3 aspect ratio such as is commonly used instandard definition (SD) video playback. The ratio 4:3 corresponds tothe width divided by the height of the video area. FIG. 2 shows videoarea 110 which is representative of a 16:9 aspect ratio that is commonlyused in high-definition (HD) video formats. Typically, the SD and HDformats are best displayed in a display area that matches the nativedimensions of the video aspect ratio. In such cases the full displayarea (e.g., a television or display screen, predetermined area such ason a web page or computer program, etc.) is filled completely with thevideo area.

However, in many cases it is undesirable or impossible to change thevideo display area to exactly match the video aspect ratio. For example,a user may have an SD television and may wish to view an HD program. Insuch a case, FIG. 3 illustrates a “letterbox” type of solution to theproblem. In FIG. 3, an HD display area 120 accommodates HD video program130 by scaling and vertically centering the HD video area so that it iscentered within the SD screen area. This leaves blank or unused areas102 and 104 at the top and bottom, respectively, of display area 120.These blank areas are typically black or grey and are not used todisplay video or any other information.

Similarly, FIG. 4 illustrates an example where SD video program 150 isdisplayed within HD display area 140. This leaves blank “pillars” 106and 108 on the left and right sides, respectively, of the display area.

FIG. 5 shows an approach according to an embodiment of the presentinvention where HD format video program 132 is displayed within SDdisplay area 122 so that a lower blank area 105 is maximized. This blankarea is advantageously used for display of enhanced or auxiliaryinformation associated with the video program. For example, tags can bedisplayed in the video and in the blank area as described, below.Similarly, FIG. 6 shows an SD format video 152 displayed within HD area142 so that a blank area 109 is maximized to the right of the video.This blank area can similarly be used for additional information relatedto the video or for other purposes. Naturally, the blank areas can bepositioned at the top and/or left sides of FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.The display area can be on a physical display screen, on a portion of acomputer display or web page, or the display area can be defined byother means.

FIGS. 7-12 illustrate an HD format video displayed within an SD displayarea on a web page. FIG. 7 shows a prior art approach where SD video 208is shown in SD display area 210 of web page 206. The web page providesvideo transport controls at 220 for performing standard control over thevideo playback such as start, stop, pause, skip to start, move toposition, and volume control. Although specific controls are shown, ingeneral any type and design of video playback controls can be provided.

FIG. 8 shows HD format video 212 fit into the upper portion of the SDspace on the same web page. This creates blank space 224 which will beused for tag menu items as described below. Transport controls 222 areoverlayed onto the video area. However, other embodiments need notoverlay the transport controls but may place them in any desirableposition, such as in the position of FIG. 7, to the top, left or rightsides, not display them at all, etc.

FIG. 9 illustrates video area 212 after the video has started playingback. A video bubble or tag 226 is shown that provides information aboutthe model in the scene. Although specific video subject matter and tagtext is shown it should be apparent that the video contents and tagtext, design and other tag characteristics can be changed, as desired.As the video plays, the tag moves in the direction A to A′ to reside intag menu area 224.

FIG. 10 shows the video display a few seconds later when tag 226 hasmoved into the tag menu area 224. Additional tags 228 and 230 haveappeared in video area 212 to describe garments that the model iswearing. Visual pointers from tags 228 and 230 serve to associate eachtag with its respective garment item. Tag 226 will next move along thedirection B to B′ while tags 228 and 230 will each move to the tag menuarea.

FIG. 11 shows tag 226 positioned at the left side of tag menu area 224while tags 228 and 230 have moved to the tag menu area (and are still inmotion moving sideways to create more separation between them). FIG. 12illustrates a point in time where the tags have reached their finalpositions and additional information, such as price information andwebsite address information is also displayed into the tag menu area. Anew tag 240 has appeared to provide more information about the model. Inthis manner, any number and type of tag can be presented in associationwith an item in the video (or in the abstract) and can then be moved tothe tag menu area. Each tag can be “clickable” so that, upon selectionby a user, additional information related to the tag, such as a webpage, is displayed. Other functionality may be provided to the tags—suchas allowing a tag to expand to provide additional information, openingan adjacent window or frame next to the video playback to provideadditional information or functionality, etc. Although specific contenthas been used in this example, it should be apparent that any othercontent can be used for the video and/or the tags.

Many other types of hardware and software platforms can be used toimplement the functionality described herein. For example, a videoplayer can be included in a portable device such as a laptop, PDA, cellphone, game console, e-mail device, etc. The tag data can reside on astorage device, server, or other device that is accessed over anothernetwork. In general, the functions described can be performed by any oneor more devices, processes, subsystems, or components, at the same ordifferent times, executing at one or more locations.

Accordingly, particular embodiments can provide for computer playback ofvideo that supports automatically capturing of screen snapshots, in theaccommodation of tag information outside of a video play area. Further,while particular examples have been described herein, other structures,arrangements, and/or approaches can be utilized in particularembodiments.

Any suitable programming language can be used to implement features ofthe present invention including, e.g., C, C++, Java, PUI, assemblylanguage, etc. Different programming techniques can be employed such asprocedural or object oriented. The routines can execute on a singleprocessing device or multiple processors. The order of operationsdescribed herein can be changed. Multiple steps can be performed at thesame time. The flowchart sequence can be interrupted. The routines canoperate in an operating system environment or as stand-alone routinesoccupying all, or a substantial part, of the system processing.

Steps can be performed by hardware or software, as desired. Note thatsteps can be added to, taken from or modified from the steps in theflowcharts presented in this specification without deviating from thescope of the invention. In general, the flowcharts are only used toindicate one possible sequence of basic operations to achieve afunction.

In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, suchas examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details,or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components,materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of thepresent invention.

As used herein the various databases, application software or networktools may reside in one or more server computers and more particularly,in the memory of such server computers. As used herein, “memory” forpurposes of embodiments of the present invention may be any medium thatcan contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program foruse by or in connection with the instruction execution system,apparatus, system or device. The memory can be, by way of example onlybut not by limitation, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, system,device, propagation medium, or computer memory.

A “processor” or “process” includes any human, hardware and/or softwaresystem, mechanism or component that processes data, signals or otherinformation. A processor can include a system with a general-purposecentral processing unit, multiple processing units, dedicated circuitryfor achieving functionality, or other systems. Processing need not belimited to a geographic location, or have temporal limitations. Forexample, a processor can perform its functions in “real time,”“offline,” in a “batch mode,” etc. Portions of processing can beperformed at different times and at different locations, by different(or the same) processing systems.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “a particular embodiment,” or “a specific embodiment” meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment ofthe present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus,respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in anembodiment,” “in a particular embodiment,” or “in a specific embodiment”in various places throughout this specification are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the presentinvention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more otherembodiments. It is to be understood that other variations andmodifications of the embodiments of the present invention described andillustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and areto be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented by using a programmedgeneral purpose digital computer, by using application specificintegrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gatearrays, optical, chemical, biological, quantum or nanoengineeredsystems, components and mechanisms may be used. In general, thefunctions of the present invention can be achieved by any means as isknown in the art. Further, distributed, or networked systems, componentsand circuits can be used. Communication, or transfer, of data may bewired, wireless, or by any other means.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted inthe drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated orintegrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certaincases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. It isalso within the spirit and scope of the present invention to implement aprogram or code that can be stored in a machine readable medium topermit a computer to perform any of the methods described above.

Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should beconsidered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwisespecifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein isgenerally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated.Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as beingnoted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability toseparate or combine is unclear.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,“a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and“on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the presentinvention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to thepresent invention in light of the foregoing description of illustratedembodiments of the present invention and are to be included within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, while the present invention has been described herein withreference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification,various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoingdisclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances somefeatures of embodiments of the invention will be employed without acorresponding use of other features without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications maybe made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essentialscope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular terms used in followingclaims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within thescope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: causing a displaydevice to simultaneously display at least the following: a videodepicting an item in a scene; a tag in a first position overlaid on thevideo, the tag being associated with the item depicted in the video,wherein the tag includes descriptive text information describing theitem depicted in the video; and a visually perceptible indicatorextending between a proximity where the item is depicted in the videoand a proximity of the first position; and causing the tag to undergocontinuous motion relative to at least a portion of the video scene fromthe first position to a second position different from the firstposition, while causing the display device to display the video and thetag overlaid on the video while the tag overlaid on the video undergoescontinuous motion with respect to at least a portion of the video scene.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: adjusting the visuallyperceptible indicator while the tag overlaid on the video undergoes thecontinuous motion, while causing the display device to additionallydisplay the visually perceptible indicator while the tag overlaid on thevideo undergoes continuous motion.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thevideo also depicts a second item, the method further comprising: causingthe display device to display at least the following simultaneously withthe video, the tag, and the visually perceptible indicator: a second tagin an initial position overlaid on the video, the second tag beingassociated with the second item depicted in the video, wherein thesecond tag includes second descriptive text information describing thesecond item depicted in the video; and a second visually perceptibleindicator extending between a proximity where the second item isdepicted in the video and a proximity of the initial position; andcausing the second tag to undergo continuous motion relative to at leasta portion of the video scene from the initial position to a subsequentposition different from the initial position, while causing the displaydevice to display the video and the second tag overlaid on the videowhile the second tag overlaid on the video undergoes continuous motionwith respect to at least a portion of the video scene.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising: adjusting the second visually perceptibleindicator while the second tag overlaid on the video undergoes thecontinuous motion, while causing the display device to additionallydisplay the visually perceptible indicator while the second tag overlaidon the video undergoes continuous motion.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving from an input device a selection of thetag; and in response to receiving from the input device the selection ofthe tag, performing a predetermined action to provide additionalinformation relating to the item in the video.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the step of performing the predetermined action to provide theadditional information relating to the item in the video comprisescausing the display device to present a web page including theadditional information relating to the item.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the tag is surrounded by a visually perceptible border defininga tag area and the step of performing the predetermined action toprovide the additional information relating to the item depicted in thevideo comprises causing the display device to expand the tag area sothat the additional information can be presented within the tag areaalong with the descriptive information describing the item depicted inthe video.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of performing thepredetermined action to provide the additional information relating tothe item depicted in the video comprises causing the display device todisplay a new window and causing the display device to present in thenew window the additional information relating to the item.
 9. Anapparatus for use with a video display device, the apparatus comprising:a hardware processor; and a memory storing instruction that configurethe hardware processor to: cause the video display device tosimultaneously display at least the following: a video depicting an itemin a scene; a tag in a first position overlaid on the video, the tagbeing associated with the item depicted in the video, wherein the tagincludes descriptive text information describing the item depicted inthe video; and a visually perceptible indicator extending between aproximity where the item is depicted in the video and a proximity of thefirst position; and cause the tag to undergo continuous motion relativeto at least a portion of the video scene from the first position to asecond position different from the first position, while causing thevideo display device to display the video and the tag overlaid on thevideo while the tag overlaid on the video undergoes continuous motionwith respect to at least a portion of the video scene.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the hardware processor is further configured toadjust the visually perceptible indicator while the tag overlaid on thevideo undergoes the continuous motion, while causing the video displaydevice to additionally display the visually perceptible indicator whilethe tag overlaid on the video undergoes continuous motion.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the video also depicts a second item, andthe hardware processor is further configured to: cause the video displaydevice to display at least the following simultaneously with the video,the tag, and the visually perceptible indicator: a second tag in aninitial position overlaid on the video, the second tag being associatedwith the second item depicted in the video, wherein the second tagincludes second descriptive text information describing the second itemdepicted in the video; and a second visually perceptible indicatorextending between a proximity where the second item is depicted in thevideo and a proximity of the initial position; and cause the second tagto undergo continuous motion relative to at least a portion of the videoscene from the initial position to a subsequent position different fromthe initial position, while causing the video display device to displaythe video and the second tag overlaid on the video while the second tagoverlaid on the video undergoes continuous motion with respect to atleast a portion of the video scene.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the hardware processor is further configured to adjust thesecond visually perceptible indicator while the second tag overlaid onthe video undergoes the continuous motion, while causing the videodisplay device to additionally display the visually perceptibleindicator while the second tag overlaid on the video undergoescontinuous motion.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the hardwareprocessor is further configured to perform a predetermined action toprovide additional information relating to the item in the video inresponse to a signal denoting a selection of the tag by a user using aninput device operatively connected to the hardware processor.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the predetermined action comprisescausing the video display device to present a web page including theadditional information relating to the item.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, theinstructions comprising: instructions for causing a display device tosimultaneously display at least the following: a video depicting an itemin a scene; a tag in a first position overlaid on the video, the tagbeing associated with the item depicted in the video, wherein the tagincludes descriptive text information describing the item depicted inthe video; and a visually perceptible indicator extending between aproximity where the item is depicted in the video and a proximity of thefirst position; and instructions for causing the tag to undergocontinuous motion relative to at least a portion of the video scene fromthe first position to a second position different from the firstposition, while causing the display device to display the video and thetag overlaid on the video while the tag overlaid on the video undergoescontinuous motion with respect to at least a portion of the video scene.16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, furthercomprising: instructions for adjusting the visually perceptibleindicator while the tag overlaid on the video undergoes the continuousmotion, while causing the display device to additionally display thevisually perceptible indicator while the tag overlaid on the videoundergoes continuous motion.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the video also depicts a second item, thecomputer-readable medium further comprising: instructions for causingthe display device to display at least the following simultaneously withthe video, the tag, and the visually perceptible indicator: a second tagin an initial position overlaid on the video, the second tag beingassociated with the second item depicted in the video, wherein thesecond tag includes second descriptive text information describing thesecond item depicted in the video; and a second visually perceptibleindicator extending between a proximity where the second item isdepicted in the video and a proximity of the initial position; andinstructions for causing the second tag to undergo continuous motionrelative to at least a portion of the video scene from the initialposition to a subsequent position different from the initial position,while causing the display device to display the video and the second tagoverlaid on the video while the second tag overlaid on the videoundergoes continuous motion with respect to at least a portion of thevideo scene.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim17, further comprising: instructions for adjusting the second visuallyperceptible indicator while the second tag overlaid on the videoundergoes the continuous motion, while causing the display device toadditionally display the visually perceptible indicator while the secondtag overlaid on the video undergoes continuous motion.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:instructions for performing a predetermined action to provide additionalinformation relating to the item in the video in response to a selectionof the tag.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19,wherein the instructions for performing the predetermined action toprovide the additional information relating to the item in the videocomprise instructions for causing the display device to present a webpage including the additional information relating to the item.